Housing the major theme of May 12 Kelowna City Council Meeting

Highlights of May 12 Council meeting

Council endorsed the City’s five-year Accessibility Plan. The plan, shaped by public input and community consultation, focuses on five key areas including the built environment, transportation, and employment. The Accessibility Advisory Committee will continue to meet regularly and update Council annually with a progress report on the Accessibility Plan. As per Provincial requirements, the Plan will be updated every three years.

Council supported the Burtch/Harvey Area redevelopment plan and an Official Community Plan amendment, which potentially includes up to 39-storey buildings on the site with a mix of housing, retail, and public spaces, along with improved transit access and greenspace connections to Parkinson Recreation Park. Next step is a public hearing to allow Council to hear from Kelowna residents on the OCP amendment.

Council OK’d a bylaw amendment to permit hotel and motel use at Okanagan College’s KLO campus, enabling the College to operate its student housing as short-term accommodations during the summer. This initiative aims to support campus growth, provide affordable lodging options for tourists and families, and generate revenue for future student housing improvements. The proposal meets provincial requirements for short-term rental exemptions.

Council authorized the issuance of a Heritage Alteration Permit for 3221 Royal Avenue to expand JoeAnna’s House with 10 new sleeping units, supporting families of Kelowna General Hospital patients. The addition maintains the building’s existing character and design while enhancing capacity and providing affordable accommodation near the hospital.

The issuance of a development permit was authorized for two, six-storey rental apartment buildings at 1239 Pacific Avenue. The proposal includes 208 units, a mix of bachelor, one-bed, two-bed and three-bedroom units.

Council supported new tenant protection bylaws requiring financial compensation, moving expense support, and a Tenant Protection Plan for redevelopment projects displacing five or more rental units. The Official Community Plan amendment will be forwarded to a future public hearing.

To watch a playback of the Council meeting and view all presentations, visit “Past Meetings” at kelowna.ca/council.